VICE Shows Balanced Reporting by Featuring StandWithUs

Mourners at the funeral of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was killed during the Poway synagogue attack in April 2019 (Photo: SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images)

In a surprising show of balance in journalism and reporting, the news outlet VICE featured the San Diego branch of StandWithUs, a organization that supports Israel and fights anti-Semitism. The segment aired on the often radically liberal platform as part of their coverage of the Poway Synagogue Shooting.

Representing StandWithUs San Diego was chapter president Micha Mitch Danzig.

The segment presents a view on anti-Semitism from various local Jewish perspectives. Nonetheless, it is rare for a platform as Left-leaning as VICE to be seen including a Jewish voices that challenges the accepted progressive narrative.

Danzig shares his experience of how VICE reached out to and interviewed him:

After the terrible shooting at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue I was contacted by HBO/Vice News because they were interested in my perspective on the shooting and on the community response. They then asked if they could accompany me to various events and conduct a follow-up interview …

It is always interesting, after someone interviews and records you, for literally hours, to see what they choose to show to their audience.

And while the piece itself was done fairly, in my opinion (though I really wish they had not left out my examples of what is “demonization” when it comes to Israel), I definitely do not agree with their title for this segment (which I think materially overstates the “divide” on this matter).

We hope more journalists follow suit in future stories, entertaining and giving a platform to all voices for human rights.

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The Clarion Project (formerly Clarion Fund) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to educating both policy makers and the public about the growing phenomenon of Islamic and other forms of extremism. The Clarion Project is committed to working towards safeguarding human rights for all peoples.